PRIMARY PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Providing learning pathways for your child, starting from concrete concepts to more abstract ways of thinking
Montessori Primary CLASS
At Norbeck Montessori in Rockville, your child will have the unique ability to take in everything in their environment, both consciously and unconsciously. Your preschool child uses this information to construct themselves as they develop into independent, thoughtful beings. Maria Montessori described this as the “absorbent mind.” Norbeck Montessori has prepared our Rockville classroom environments with Montessori materials and lessons that enhance your child’s ability to absorb knowledge and develop a love for learning!
Have a question or want to learn more before you apply? Give us a call at 301-363-7009
Montessori Education
The multi-aged preschool setting we have in Rockville also provides the Norbeck Montessori children with opportunities for broad social development. Interaction with each other teaches students how to get along with children of different ages and abilities, respect for others’ work and workspace, and courtesy. By taking an active role in maintaining their classroom students form a thriving community where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
“At Norbeck Montessori, children are constantly learning from one another and learning because of one another. Our multi-age preschool classrooms enhance learning, with children ages 3, 4, and 5 working together and building skills together.
In true Montessori fashion, our younger primary preschool students get a chance to look ahead and see what is coming next by watching and aspiring to do their older classmate’s work.
Older students have the opportunity to be the leaders of the class and help reinforce their knowledge by sharing it with their younger classmates.”
The best way to get to know Norbeck Montessori is to visit our classrooms in person! Schedule a tour for a time that works for you.
The Role of the Montessori Teacher
The role of the teacher in the Montessori classroom is to guide and observe the individual interests and needs of each child. Through observation, our highly qualified teachers are able to design an individualized learning plan specific to each child’s needs.
Each Montessori classroom is set up specifically for the children in that classroom and as their needs change, so does the classroom.
Our Montessori teachers are trained to recognize periods of readiness. Each child’s progress is not compared to the achievements of the other children.
Through this non-competitive environment, your preschooler will gain confidence in him or herself and experience an intrinsic feeling of success.
Learn more about our amazing faculty and staff or meet them in person on a tour of our classrooms!
Whole & Half-Day Preschool Schedule
Consistency and order are musts in the life of a preschool child. However, flexibility is a must in the life of a parent! Norbeck Montessori recognizes this by offering a five-day-a-week Montessori preschool program for children with a variety of schedules to meet the needs of the diverse work and life schedules of Washington, DC area families. Our Primary Preschool program is offered as either a half-day or full-day program.
As soon as your child enters the classroom in the morning, they are immersed in the carefully prepared, multi-aged classrooms. Our mornings include an uninterrupted work cycle, a snack, a group gathering, and an indoor or outdoor movement/social time.
Our half-day preschool children prepare to head home just before lunch, and the full-day preschool students get themselves ready for lunch. The full-day preschool program offers a variety of options depending on your child’s age, and individual needs:
- Our youngest children will travel to our Napper’s room. Here they will be able to sleep in a dark, quiet room on their own cot and nap mat.
- Preschoolers who have outgrown their nap will join the Afternoon Activities Group. This is a structured environment with themes including art, music, movement, and much more.
- Our 4-year-old preschoolers (four by September 1) will take part in our Junior Kindergarten Class. This is a continuation of Montessori lesson time, extending the skills taught in the morning. The Junior Kindergarten program will focus primarily on math, reading, and writing skills helping to ensure your child is ready for kindergarten.
- The Big K Class is for all five-year-olds (five by September 1). This is a time for all of our Kindergarteners to have class together while continuing to use the Montessori lessons. An emphasis is placed on math and language skills, taking our Big K kids to new heights. Although every child is different, our kindergarteners typically read and practice math on a first or second-grade level.
Testimonials
What Parents Say
We believe that clear communication with parents is essential to the child’s wellbeing. It is particularly important during the early preschool years when children reach and surpass many developmental milestones. Naturally, we work diligently to help each of the children to be best taken care of. That is the reason why the parents give us best reviews. Here are a few of them.
Stacey Guedes2018-10-25My children have been at Norbeck for 5 years and our experience has been nothing but amazing. They are treated and cared for with love and respect. They enjoy going to school every day and have learned how to be independent children both in the classroom and in every day life. They have grown to be upstanding and courteous young ladies
fiorella pasara2018-10-09This place is amazing! When we were looking for a daycare or preschool where to send our 3 year old back then, we did some research and went to different places and realize this was the only one where you could see the kids and the teachers happy and having a great time (remember that's the environment you want your kids to grow in). So we decided for Norbeck and that was the best decision ever! Our son had the best experience during his 4 years there. We even kept him in the Kindergarten program (AMAZING). He learned so much and grew emotionally and socially as well. Great foundation and such a loving atmosphere for the kids. I could not recommend a better place. And BTW did I said he learned reading by 4 years and has started 1st grade knowing addition, subtraction and multiplication? Yep that's how great this place is :)
Nisha Patel2015-12-03Norbeck Montessori has been the most amazing experience for us! Our daughter has been there for over a year and absolutely loves it. The teachers are amazing and make you and your child feel welcome, nurtured and loved! And, the lessons they do on a daily basis are so fun and educational at the same time. Definitely recommend to any parents looking for a positive and warm environment for their kids, and be prepared to be part of a small and loving family!
Melanie Deal2015-12-03What would I have done without Norbeck? This is my daughter's second year and every day I am more and more amazed about how much she is learning. She is only 4 years old and she is able to read, write and count to 100. The activities that the school coordinates through the year nurtures a sense of community/family, events include Halloween parade, Thanksgiving feast, Christmas song festival and much more! She loves her school, teachers and friends. I highly recommend this school.
Reese Alutto-Schmidt2015-12-02Our son has had a wonderful experience at Norbeck. The teachers and staff are incredibly energetic and positive -- they are uniformly dedicated to nurturing and teaching kids. Everyone clearly loves their jobs. The school's parent community is welcoming and active for those parents that are interested. We plan to send our second child next year!
Laura Calderone2015-10-13We love Norbeck! The staff are amazing taking care of our children like warm and nurturing parents and help guide them on their educational journey. Our 5 year old is already reading, doing fractions and loves the science class. Our 3 year old knows Spanish phrases and can write his own name. Your child will cultivate incredible skills and gain all the tools they need to be driven, focusing amazing people.
Lesley Lightfoot2015-02-01My son has only been with Norbeck Montessori for 2.5 months (at the time of this review). The progress, and noticed development that has happened during that time has been incredible for my husband and I to see. He has grown socially, physically, and mentally, all thanks to what is offered at the school from the moment of drop off, until we see him at the end of the day. We feel assured that he is with Norbeck Montessori.
Beth Davis2014-12-05Norbeck Montessori is one of those rare places where children can go to learn in a loving and supportive environment full of enrichment opportunities and amazing teachers. Norbeck has been a part of our family for nearly three decades. As a Norbeck alumni, I would not want to see my kids anywhere else. My children started attending the school ten years ago, when my oldest was 2 ½, and we have remained in the Norbeck family as each of our children has grown to preschool age. In the past ten years we have had three children attend Norbeck, one of whom is in the Jr. K program this year. Today, many of the same kind and smiling faces of teachers we have known for years welcome us with open arms each morning. Tara and Ryan along with Keira have done an amazing job of revamping the program and adding fresh new extracurricular programs like soccer, gymnastics and cooking classes. Norbeck is not only an amazing environment for children to learn and grow, it is a true community atmosphere where families come together and form lifelong friendships. Some of my closest friendships started at Norbeck and my oldest daughter is still very close friends with several of the friends she made at Norbeck over ten years ago. A first grade teacher from our local elementary school recently approached me and said “Your daughter is a Norbeck kid, isn’t she?" When I confirmed, she continued, saying "I can tell. The kids from that school come in here heads and shoulders above so many other kids. Not only are they working at higher levels in reading and math, they have a strong grasp of science and an appreciation for art and music that we don’t see coming out of other programs.” And it is true. Sending our kids to Norbeck has been an investment in their future. My oldest, who is now in 7th grade, and my second child, now in 1st, are both receiving accelerated instruction in all subjects. I cannot say enough great things about this amazing school that has contributed so much to the education and enrichment of my family.
Preschool Tours & Applications for Norbeck Montessori
Are you ready to see us in action? Or do you just have a few more questions? Either way, we would love to speak with you. Visit our Info and Tours page to contact us or schedule a tour.
Enrollment opens every January for the upcoming summer and fall sessions and we take applicants on a first come first served basis.
Is Norbeck Montessori Near Me?
Although our Montessori school is located in Rockville, we have kindergarten students who come from surrounding areas, including Aspen Hill, Colesville, Gaithersburg, Glenmont, Norbeck, Olney, Shady Grove, Silver Spring, Wheaton, and nearby areas of Montgomery County.
Stop by and see our Norbeck Montessori school in action.
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The Enrichment Programs
We offer
Turning your child’s inner potential to lifelong skills.
Spanish Enrichment
Our Spanish-English bilingual preschool and kindergarten classrooms offer a traditional Montessori experience in an environment that integrates both languages.
Fine Arts
